Del. trooper strikes, kills pedestrian on road

Delaware State Police say a marked police cruiser has struck and killed a pedestrian along Kirkwood Highway in Wilmington.

Police spokesman Sgt. Paul Shavack says 49-year-old Robert Smith of Wilmington was struck and killed about 4 a.m. Saturday near Farrand Drive. Investigators believe Smith was trying to cross the westbound lanes of the highway when he was struck.

Shavack says the state trooper was a 43-year-old male. But the name of the trooper was not immediately released. The trooper was not injured.

Police say alcohol appears to be a factor in the crash on the part of the pedestrian. An investigation continues.

The incident shut down the road for more than three hours, but it has since reopened.